Starting problem (1997 Civic 1.4iS, manual)

[hakrist]

This morning, when i got out to start my car it would not start.
When i turned the ignition key, the check engine light came on, and the engine/starter was not cranking.
(The lights in the dash and everything else electrical worked as normal)

So i tried to turn the ignition-key a few more times, and after 2-3 minutes of trying the car suddenly started as normal. I stopped the car and tried starting it up straight away, and this time everything worked as normal.

Now, forgive me for not listening for sounds like relay-clicks or fuelpump-sound, but I was stressed and in a hurry to get to work.

It has to be said that it was below freezing temperatures outside (if that makes a difference), although it was freezing yesterday aswell and then I had no problems.

My first thought is just a worn relay (starter-relay or something like that), but its not easy to assess with what seems a sporadic problem.

I tried searching the forums with no luck, so i was hoping you could help me out.

 

[EG_CaSe]

u got the CEL code? i mean it could be the connections on the starter.. this happens to my uncles van when he parks on a hill or when its really cold.. i fixed it by just sanding down the connection.. other then that it would help with a code or a sound..

 

[hakrist]

u got the CEL code? i mean it could be the connections on the starter.. this happens to my uncles van when he parks on a hill or when its really cold.. i fixed it by just sanding down the connection.. other then that it would help with a code or a sound..

So..you mean a bad connection to the starter? Hmm...ok. Well it just so happens that i was parked in a hill (nose-down) aswell as being cold outside.

Anyways, ill try to get a cel-code readout if/when it happens again.
Forgive me for being such a n00b, but is that the short circuit of the connector on the passenger-side, then readout the sequence of blinks from the CEL.

I found this page on that, i guess its the correct method: Checking the ECU codes

 

[hakrist]

A couple more questions regading the CEL readouts.

Are the codes stored in the system, or are they automatically erased once the car is running as normal?

Once you do get an error, do you turn off the car completely, then shortcircuit the header, turn the car back on and then do the readout....or...

...do you simply short-circuit the header once the error has occured and the fault is still present and the ignition is on?

 

[EG_CaSe]

A couple more questions regading the CEL readouts.

Are the codes stored in the system, or are they automatically erased once the car is running as normal?

Once you do get an error, do you turn off the car completely, then shortcircuit the header, turn the car back on and then do the readout....or...

...do you simply short-circuit the header once the error has occured and the fault is still present and the ignition is on?

im not sure if 96-00's are then same as 92-95's but yea if it is u just basicly need a paper clip to stick inside the clip, as for reading the code once the cars running good it should go away.. i never heard of them gettin stored.. once u do get the code just reset ur ECU. u can do that a number of ways. pullin out the backup fuse the 7.5 in the engine bay fuse box and wait a few secs.. im a bit tired right now ill read the rest of the thread tomorrow and try my best to help u out.;.

 

[hakrist]

Thank you for your help.

Well atm the car seems to start without any problem, and the CEL went out by itself once i got it started (and i havent seen it since)

Just for fun, i tried reading the CEL codes now that the car works again and the CEL light just lights up with no blinking when i do the paper-clip trick, so i guess the codes are not stored.

Oh well, guess ill just have to check it if the problem comes back. I can only hope it was a one-time only problem (however unlikely that sounds). Gee, I hate sporadic problems like this.

 

[EG_CaSe]

Thank you for your help.

Well atm the car seems to start without any problem, and the CEL went out by itself once i got it started (and i havent seen it since)

Just for fun, i tried reading the CEL codes now that the car works again and the CEL light just lights up with no blinking when i do the paper-clip trick, so i guess the codes are not stored.

Oh well, guess ill just have to check it if the problem comes back. I can only hope it was a one-time only problem (however unlikely that sounds). Gee, I hate sporadic problems like this.

well if the problem comes back check ur connection from the bat to the starter and the fuse box.. maybe its loose somewhere.. also check the fuse in the fuse box where the wire connects..

 

[hakrist]

I will do.

Anyways Ive had a look at the chematics and it seems that theres not that many things that could go wrong:
- 2 fuses
- Switch
- Kables and connections
- Solenoid
- Startermotor

All of these should be easy to check.

Only thing in addition that could cause a problem is the anti-theft and its starter-cutoff relay. The relay should normally be closed, so unless the anti.theft unit is messing up the car should start. I have no idea how to check the anti-theft unit though, nor any idea on what might trigger this to operate.

My car have no clutch-pedal switch (is this switch something unique to the american models? Cause i have never seen such switch on european cars.)

I also have my own theory on the CEL-light aswell: I dont think either of these will give an CEL-code. Im guessing my CEL light was on just because thats what the CEL-light is supposed to do when you turn the key. Normally it automatically goes off once the engine has started. In my case the engine never got as far as even trying to start, hence the control unit just kept the light on while it waited for the engine to start.

 

[EG_CaSe]

My car have no clutch-pedal switch (is this switch something unique to the american models? Cause i have never seen such switch on european cars.)

im not 100% sure but i think all american cars come with that switch..